Novel 16-alkyl and 16-alkylene steroids and processes



United States Patent Ofi ice 3 053 865 NOVEL 16-ALKYL AND 16-ALKYLENE srnnorns AND PROCESSES David Taub, Metuchen, Norman L. Wendler, Summit,

2 or hydroxy, and R" is hydroxy or oxygen as above, with or without a double bond at the (6)-position.

In a preferred embodiment of our invention, 3a-acetoxy- 16-pregnene-11,20-dione which is represented by the toland Harry L. Slates, Madison, NJ assignors to Merck 5 lowing formula+ V & Co., Inc., Rahway, N .J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Original application Mar. 19, 1958, Ser.

No. 722,390. Divided and this application Mar. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 11,982

9 Claims. (Cl. 260397.45)

OH OR where R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl, R" is hydroxy or oxygen, and X is hydrogen or halogen. The broken line between carbon atoms 1 and 2 indicates that a double bond may be present in this position.

The 16B-alkyl steroids produced in accordance with the present invention possess extremely high anti-inflammatory activity, considerably greater than that of the parent steroids, and are especially effective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in extremely low dosage thereby minimizing undesired side effects. The activity of 16 beta-alkyl steroids is especially novel as all previous group substitution modifications of cortical steroids which have resulted in increased anti-infiam-. matory activity have involved introduction of alpha-substituents. 4

"In preparing our novel chemical compounds, the starting material utilized may be a 3-substituted-l1-oxygenated-IG-pregnene-ZO-one or 3-substituted-1l-oxygenatedl6-a11opregnene-20-0ne which may be identified by the following structural formulawherein X is hydrogen or halogen, Y is alpha or beta hydrogen, Z is oxygen, dioxolane, alpha or beta acyloxy Y is utilized as the starting material.

However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that other starting materials, such as those described above, maybe similarly converted to the desired end products.

It has been found that 3a-acetoXy-16-pregnene-11,20-

dione may be caused to react with diazoalkanes, such as diazomethane and diazoethane to form 3oc-aCt0XY-16ot, 17a-alkyleneazopregnane-11,20-dionewhich has the following structural formula-- wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl.

Upon heating 3a-acetoxy-16a,17a-alkyleneazopregnane- 11,20-dione, there is formed primarily 3u-acetoxy-16- alkyl-16-pregnene-11,20-dione which may be representedby the following formula- Patented Sept. 11, 1962 3 wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl and exocyclic olefin, 3-acetoxy-16-alkylene-pregnane-l1,20-dione, which may be represented by the formulawhere R' is hydrogen or alkyl as above.

Treatment of the above isomeric form, namely the 3-acetoxy-16-alkylenepregnane-11,20-dione with an alkali hydroxide yields 16u-alkyl-3a-hydroxy-16-pregnene-1l, ZO-dione which has the formulawherein R is alkyl.

Oxidation of 3a-acetoxy-16-a1kyl-16-pregnene-11,20- dione, the major isomer obtained above, with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium hydroxide or peracids such as peroxytrifluoracetic acid results in the formation of 16 3-alky1-16a,17mepoxy-h-hydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione which has the structural formula wherein R is as above.

Upon treatment of 16,3-alkyl-16a,17u-epoxy-3a-hydroxypregnane-11,20-dione with a strong acid such as perchloric acid there is formed an olefin mixture of 16- alkyl 30:,170: dihydroxy pregnene 11,20 dione and 16 alkylene 3a,l7cc dihydroxy pregnane 11, ZO-dione which may be represented as follows- CHa wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R is as above.

and

Treatment of the mixture of 16-alkyl-3a,17a-dihydroxy- 15 pregnene 11,20 dione and 16 alkylene 3a,17adihydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione successively with lithium aluminum hydride and sodium metaperiodate results in a mixture of the endocyclic 16-alkyl-3a,1lfl-dihydroxy- 15-etioeholene-17-one and the exocyclic, 16-alky1ene-3a, 1lfi-dihydroxyetiocholane-l7-one having the structural 0 HO 1 OHR' H O-n-Cl wherein R'" is hydrogen or alkyl and R is alkyl as above.

Upon treatment of alkyl 16a,17a epoxy 3ahydroxy-pregnane-I1,20-dione with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid there is formed 3a-acetoxy-16-a1kylene-17ahydroxy-pregnane-l1,20-dione, uncontaminated with the 15-pregnene isomer. There is also produced Ba-acetoxy- 16-a1kyl-15-bromo-16-pregnene-11,20-dione which may be represented by the following formula and O a; in

wherein R is alkyl. The 3a-acetoxy-16-alky1-1S-bromo- 16-pregnene-11,20-dione thus produced is an important intermediate in the preparation of other active steroids.

The 30; acetoxy 16 alkyl 15 bromo 16 pregnene-11,20-dione may be reacted with pyridine to form 30: acetoxy 16 alkyl 14,16 pregnadiene 11,20- dione which has the formula dinoe and 165 alkyl 3a,17oc dihydroxypregnane 11, ZO-dione which may be represented as follows wherein R is as above.

Alternatively, hydrogenation of 1618 alkyl 16oc,17ocepoxy-3a-hydroxypregnane-11,20-dione under acidic conditions produces directly the above mixture of 16u-alkyl- 300,170: dihydroxypregnane 11,20 dione and 16,6- alky1-3a, 17a-dihydroxypregnane-1 1,20-dione.

Similarly hydrogenation of the pure 16-alkylene-3a, 17a-dihydr0xypregnane-11,20-dione resulted in the mixture of 16a-alky1-3a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione and 16 3-a1kyl-3u,17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione. 3

At this stage, the mixture may be separated into its components by chromatography or fractional crystallization or other means. As hereinafter described the mixture can be processed in the same manner as either of the two components.

Bromination of the above epimeric mixture of 160:- alkyl 3a,17u dihydroxypregnane 11,20 dione and 16,8 alkyl 305,170: dihydroxypregnane 11,20 dione results in the formation of an epimeric mixture of 1600- and alkyl 21 bromo 30,17oc dihydroxypregnane 11,20- dione and 16B alkyl 21 bromo 30,17oc dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione which may be represented as follows- 0112B! ----0H o= --R l noi and wherein R is as above.

The above epimeric mixture of ,16a-alkyl-21-bromo- 305,170; dihyd-roxypregnane 11,20 dione and 16,9 alkyl 21 bromo 3u,17a dihydroxypregnane 11,20- dione may be reacted with potassium acetate to form an epimeric mixture of 16u-alkyl-3u,17a,21-trihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate and 16[3-alkyl-3u,17a,21-trihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate which may be represented by the following formulae OHgOAc and wherein R is as above. I

The above epimeric mixture may be separated by 5 chromatography or crystallization at this stage or carried further.

Reaction of a mixture of 1'6a-alkyl-3 a,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-pregnane-l 1,20-dione Zl-acetate and 16B-alkyl- 3a,17a,21-trihydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate with an oxidizing agent such as N-br-omosuccinimide or chromic acid results in the formation of a mixture of alkyl-17a,21-dihydroxypregnane-3,11,20-trione ZI-acetate and 16;? alkyl- 17oc,2l-dihydroxypregnane-3, 11,20-trione ZI-acetate which have the following structural formulae-- OHzOAc CHzOAO and bromo-l7a,2l-dihydroxypregnane-3;11,20 trione 21-acetate which has the following structural formula-- CHzOAc wherein R is alkyl.

The 16,3 alkyl 4 bromo l7a,21-dihydr0xypregnane- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate obtained above is then reacted with a slurry of semicarbazide hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate to form the S-semicarbazone of 16fi-alkyl- 17a,2l-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,1il,20 trione 21 acetate which may be represented by the following structural formula CH2OAC wherein R is as above.

The above 3-semicarbazone of 16/3-alkyl-17u,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione Zl acetate is then reacted with, for example, pyruvic acid in aqueous acetic acid to form 16,8-a1kyl-17u,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione ill-acetate having the following structural formula-- CHQOAC wherein R is alkyl as above.

Reduction of the 3,20-disemicarbazone of IGfl-alkyl- 17a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione with sodium boronhydride produces the 3,20-disemicarbazone of 16(3- alkyl-1-1B,17a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, which has the following formula:

e Wm wherein R is as above.

The 3,20-disemicarbaz0ne of l6fl-alkyl-1lfl,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione is reacted with pyruvic acid in aqueous acetic acid to remove the semicarbazone groups at the 3 and 20-positions to form lfl-alkyblilfi, 17u,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20dione which may be chemically represented as follows:

(EHQOH C=NNHC ONHe OHzOH wherein R is as above. The above compound which may be called 16,8-alkyl hydrocortisone has been found to exhibit marked and effective activity in the treatment of arthritis.

Acetylation of 16B-alkyl-115,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione at the 21-position is accomplished by re acting this latter compound with acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine to form 16/3-alkyl-l l{3,l7a,21-tryhy- .droxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate which may be represented as follows:

CHQOAC wherein R is as above.

Other 2l-acylates may be prepared by reacting the 21-alcohol with the appropriate acyl anhydrides.

By reacting 16,B-alkyl-1113,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate with methanesulfonyl ch1oride in dimethylformamide there is formed 16fi-alky1-17u, 21-dihydroxy-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21 acetate of the following structural formulawherein R is as above.

Reacting the latter compound with N-bromo-succinimide forms 16fi-alkyl-9a-bromo-l lp,17a,21-trihydroxy-4- 9 pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate represented by the formula OHzOAO wherein R is as above.

- Reacting the latter compound with sodium metho-xide produces 1613 alkyl 9,B-11fi-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-4- pregnene 3,20-dione having the formula CHZOH C HzAO (3:0 y?

it wherein R is as above and X is hydrogen or fluorine and R" is hydroxy or oxygen.

Treatment of these species with dimethyl aniline in dimethylformarnide results in the desired 16,8-alkyl-17a,

10 21 dihydroxy-ll-oxygenated-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate and 16fi-alkyl-9a-flu0ro-17a,2l1-dihydroxy-11- oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20 dione ill-acetate which may be represented graphically as follows- OHzOAO wherein R, R and X are as above. The species represented by the above formula are highly potent antiinliammatory agents.

The 21-acetate esters of these compounds can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding alcohols, 16,8-alkyl-17a,21- dihydroxy-ll-oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 16p; alkyl 9ot-fluoro-17a,21-dihydroxy-1l-oxygenated- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione represented by the following structural formula onion o0 '---0H lvfi: In

wherein R and R" areas above.

Alternatively, the 1,4-pregnadiene compounds described above may be prepared from the corresponding 4- pregnene-3-ones by dehydrogenation chemically with selenium dioxide or microbially by means of Bacillus sphaericus.

The following experimental part illustrates in detail some of the compounds which constitute this invention and methods for their production. However, this invention is not to be construed as limited thereby in spirit or in scope since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications in materials and methods may be made without departing from the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 3a-Acetoxy-16a,17a-Methyleneazo Pregmane-1 1 ,ZO-Dione In a 500. ml. 3-neck flask equipped with condenser, dropping funnel and nitrogen inlet were placed 20 g. of potassium hydroxide in ml. of water, ml. of methanol and 100 ml. of ether. A solution of 10 g. of N-methyl-N-nitrosotosylamide in 50 ml. of ether was placed in the dropping funnel.

'Diazomethane was generated by warming the generation flask to 40-45 C.. and cautiously adding the N- methyl-N-nitrosotosylamide-ether from the dropping funnel. Nitrogen was utilized to sweep the diazomethane into a solution of 20 g. of 3oz-acetoxy-l6-pregnene-l1,20- dione in 100 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and ml. ether. The process was continued until the steroid solution remained yellow for several hours. The product, 3a-acet-. oxy -lfiu,17m-methyleneazo-pregnane-l1,2.0-dione largely precipitated from the reaction mixture. After 16 hours, the mixture was filtered, washed with ether and dried in air. Yield 14.24 g., M.P. 186-190 C. (dec.) 2nd crop (on concentration) 4.45 g., M.P. -187 0., 3rd crop, 1.32 g., M.P. 180-190" C. Total usable material 20.01 g. (90%). Y

IR A329 5.78 sh, 5.32, 6.39,.

max.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N C, 69.55; H, 8.27. Found: C, 69.37; H, 8.01.

EXAMPLE 2 37.4 g. of 3a-acetoXy-16a,17a-methyleneazopregnane- 11,20-dione was placed in a 500 ml. round-bottom flask and heated by an oil bath in vacuo (pressure 0.6 mm.). A manometer and 12-liter surge flask were in the line between the reaction flask and pump trap. When the bath temperature reached 180 C. the 3a-acetoxy-16m,17amethyleneazo-pregnane-l1,20-dione began to melt with evolution of nitrogen. The maximum pressure reached was 83 mm. After minutes at 180-182 C. the melt was cooled. It had and was taken up in about 150 ml. of acetone, filtered through diatomaceous earth, concentrated to about 100 ml. and ether slowly added to the boiling solution until crystallization occurred. These crystals of 3m-acetoxy-16- methyl-l6-pregnene-l1,20-dione weighed 19.0 g., M.P. 165-168 0;

2nd crop 5.3 g., M.P. 160-164 C.,

tCHKOH 249 E% 211 max.

3rd crop 5.0 g., M.P. 142-153 0.,

59 249 E% 156 Total yield of material with E% 210 was 70%. The analytical sample had M.P. 165-167 C.

xgg P 249, 19% 240; xGHCh 5.33, 5.90, 6.05, 6.23..

max.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 1 6a,] 7 a-Ep0xy-3 a-H ydroxy-l 6,8- Methylpregnane-I1,20-Di0ne A solution of 20.0 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16-methyl-16-pregnene-11,20-dione dissolved in 600 ml. of methanol, was cooled to 18 C., and 80 ml. of 30% hydrogen peroxide followed by 80 ml. of 2.5N sodium hydroxide were added. Considerable material precipitated from solution, but all redissolved on stirring the reaction mixture at 25 30 C. for 40 minutes. The solution was kept at 15 -20 C. for 18 hours at which time the ultra-violet maximum at 249 had completely disappeared. Then 600 ml. of saturated salt water was slowly added, the crystalline precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and dried in air and in vacuum. The l6a,17a epoxy-3a hydroxy-16B-methylpregnane-1l,20-dione thus formed weighed 17.36 g. (93%); M.P. 176-177 C., hexagonal prisms M.P. 178- 180 C. from acetone-ether.

max.

Analysis.-Calcu1ated for C H O C, 73.30; H, 8.95. Found: C, 73.23; H, 9.12.

Room temperature acetylation gave the 3oc-3C61OXY-l6oz, 17a-epoxy-165-methylpregnane-11,20-dione having a melting point of l62164 C.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 71.65 H, 8.51. Found: C, 71.65; H, 8.25.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of an Olefin Mixture of 3a,l7u-Dihydroxyl6-Methyl-15-Pregnene-ILZO-Dione and 3a,.l7a-Dihydroxy-I 6 -M ethylenepregnane-l 1 ,20-Di one To a solution of 2.69 g. of 16a,l7a-epoxy-3a-hydroxyl6 8-methyl-pregnane-l1,20-dione in 55 ml. dioxane was added 27 ml. of 2 M aqueous perchloric acid. The clear solution was kept at 25-30 C. for 65 hours. Cold water, (175 ml.), was added, the slurry chilled to 8 C. and filtered after 30 minutes. The precipitate, containing a mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-pregnene-l1, 20-dione and 3 a,17oi-dihydroxy-16-methylene-preguane was washed with water, and dried in air and finally at 50 C. in vacuum. Yield: 2.27 g. (94.5%), M.P. sintering at about C. melting at 158-167 C. The relative proportion of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl-lS-pregnene-ll, 20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methylenepregnane-11, 20-dione is estimated to be of the order of 1:1.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 3a,]1B-Dihydroxy-I6-Methyl-15-Eti0ch0lene-17 One and 3a,]1B-Dihydroxy 16 Methyleneliocholane-l 7-One Treatment of the mixture of 3u,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-pregnene-11,20-dione and 311,170: dihydroxy 16- methylene-pregnane-l1,20-dione successively with lithium aluminum hydride and sodium periodate gave a crystalline mixture (M.P. 166-17l C.) of endocyclic 3a,1lfl-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-etiocholene-17-one and exocyclic 3a, 1lfl-dihydroxy-16-methylene etiocholane-17-one C-17 ketones with xggf 232.5, E% 200; #11109 2.75, 2.3-2.9, 5.30, 5.37,

max.

The conjugate C=0 peaks at 5.80 and 5.87 were of equal intensity indicating the proportions to be 1:1.

Pure 3a,11fi-dihydroxy 16 methylene-etiocholone-17- one, M.P.

max.

was prepared similarly from pure 3a-acetoxy-16-methylene-17a-hydroxy-pregnane-l1,20-dione obtained by hydrogen bromide opering of the oxide, 3oc-aC6tOXy-16a,17aepoXy-l6B-methyl-pregnane-l1,20-dione (see Example 6).

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of 3a-Acetoxy-I7a-Hydroxy-16-Methylene- Pregnane-11,20-Di0ne and 3a-Acet0xy-15-Br0m0-16- Met/1y l-1 6-Pregnene-1 l ,20-Dione dione; rectangular prisms from ether-acetone M.P. 130- 135 C. dec.

[0.15 +43 (o=1.01) x 30H 250 mp E 9,000; x359 max. 5.80, 5.84, 6.00, 0.20..

max.

Analysis.-Calculated for C H O' C. 71.61; H, 8.51. Found: C, 71.51; H, 8.07.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 3ix-Acet0xy-16-Methyl-14,16- Pregn ad ien e-] 1 ,ZO-D i one 42 mg. of 3u-acetoxy-l5-bromo-16-methyl-16-pregnene- 11,20-dione was dissolved in 2 ml. of pyridine. After 18 hours at 25 C. the mixture was concentrated to dryness in vacuo. The solid residue of 3a-acetoxy-16-methyl-14, l6-pregnadiene-11,20-dione was crystallized from ether; prismatic needles M.P. 180185 C.;

EXAMPLE 8 A solution of 3.05 g. (8.47 millimol) of the olefin mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-pregnene-11,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methylene-pregnane-11,20- dione in 80 ml. of methanol was reduced in hydrogen at 1 atmosphere and 25 C. in the presence of 2.0 g. of 25% palladium-calcium carbonate catalyst. Modification of the hydrogenation conditions, pH, solvent, catalyst, etc. alters the isomer ratio significantly. Uptake of the calculated amount of hydrogen was complete in 45 minutes. The mixture Was stirred an additional 30 minutes and filtered through diatomaceous earth. The colorless filtrate was taken to dryness and crystallized from ether: a mixture of 3a,l7u-dihydroxy-16u-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 3a,l7u-dihydr0xy-16,8-methylpregnane 11,20 dione was obtained and Weighed 3.05 g., sintering at 150 C. melting at 166-182 C.

EXAMPLE 9 Alternate Preparation of 3a,]7a-Dihydr0xy-16u-Methylpregnane 11,20 Dione and 3 0a,] 7a. Dihydroxy 16,8- Methylpregnane-I1,20-Di0ne A solution of 10.0 g. of 16a,17a-epoxy-3a-hydroxy-16,B- methylpregnane-l1,20-dione in 180 ml. of dioxane and 112 ml. of 2 M aqueous perchloric acid was prepared. The solution was hydrogenated at 25 C. and 1 atmosphere pressure in the presence of 4.4 g. of palladium on charcoal catalyst. Uptake of one mole of hydrogen was complete in 10 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and 300 ml. of 70% saturated sodium chloride Was added to the filtrate. After being kept at 0 C. for 30 minutes, the precipitated mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy- IGa-methyIpregnane-I1,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy- 16/3-methylpregnane-11,20-dione was filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 9.26 g. Solubility analysis in benzene indicated the product to be 75% 3a,17oc-dihydroxy-l6a-rnethylpregnane-11,20-dione and 25% 30,17adihydroxy-l 6B-methylpregnane-1 1,20-dione.

14 EXAMPLE 10 Separation of 3a,]7a-Dihydroxy-16u-Methylpregnane-11,

ZO-Dione and 3a,17u-Dihydroxy-16fi-Methylpregnane- 11,20-Dione One gram of the above hydrogenation product, 30:,17a-

dihydroxy-l6a-methylpregnane- 11,20-dione and 301,170:-

dihydroxy-I6 3-methylpregnane-11,20-dione, was chromatographed on g. of activated magnesium silicate. The

100% chloroform eluates gave 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16amethylpregnane-l1,20-dione, M.P. 188-191 C. identical with authentic material by mixed melting point and infrared spectral comparisons. The 5% methanol-chloroform eluates gave 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16fl-methylpregnane-11,20-

dione hexagonal plates from benzene-ethylacetate M.P.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O C, 72.89; H, 9.45. Found: C, 72.97; H, 9.25.

The 16a-methyl and 16fi-methylpregnanes respectively, had R values of 0.55 and 0.35 when chromatographed on Whatman #1 filter paper in the benzene-formamide system.

As described hereinafter, 3a,17a-dihydr0xy-16B-methylpregnane-11,20-dione was brominated at position 21 in exactly the same way as the mixture of 16a and 1618- methyl compounds to.give 21-bromo-3a,17a-dihydroxy- 16,8-methylpregnane-11,20-dione. This latter compound was similarly converted to 3a-17a,2l-trihydroxy-16 3- methylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate. This compound was then similarly oxidized at position 3 to give :,21- dihydroxy-16 8-methyl-3,1 1,20-trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of a Mixture of 3a-Acetoxy-17a-Hydr0xy- 16a-Methyl-Pregnane 11,20 Dione and 3a-Acetoxy- 17a-Hydroxy-16B-Methylpregnane-J1,20-Dione To a mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane- 11,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16,8-methylpregnanc- 11,20-dione dissolved in pyridine was added acetic anhydride at 20 C. A mixture of 3a-acetoxy-17a-hydroxy- 16a-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 3aacetoxy-17a-hydroxy-l6,8-methylpregnane-11,20-dione separated from solution and Was recovered. These prisms sintered at 170 C. and melted at -179 C.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of a Mixture of 21Br0m0-3a,17a-Dihydr0xy- 16a-Methylpregnane 11,20 Dione and 21-Br0m'0-3a, 17a-Dihya'r0xy-Iofi-Methylpregnane-11,20-Di0ne A solution of 3.50 g. (9.7 millimol) of a mixture of 3a,l7a-dihydroxy-lGa-methyl reg-nane 11,20 dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16fi-methylpregnane 11,20 dione obtained as above in 40 ml. of chloroform Was warmed to 4045 C. A solution of 1.76 g. (11 millimol) of bromine in 25 ml. of chloroform was added dropwise to the stirred solution such that the color was not darker than pale yellow (ca. 2 drops/see, total tirne1 hour). The nearly colorless solution was cooled to 20 C. and 200 ml. of ether was added. The mixture was extracted with excess cold 5% potassium bicarbonate solution, sodium bisulfite solution, and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The colorless residue after removal of solvent, a mixture of 21-bromo-3a,17a-dihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane-ILZO-dione and 21 bromo-3a,17a-dihydroxy-16B- methylpregnane-l1,20-dione (4.30 g.) gave a positive tetrazolium test. Paper chromatography (benzene-formamide) resolved the material into 2 spots.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of a Mixture of 3a,17a-21-Trihydroxy-16a- Methylpregnane-11,20-Dione 21 Acetate and 3a,]7a, 21-Trihydroxy-16,6-Methylpregnane 11,20 Dione 21- Acetate To 4.30 g. of 2l-bromo-Sa,17a-dihydroxy-16a-methyl- 15 pregnane-11,20-dione and 21-bromo-3u,17a-dihydroxy- 16B-methylpregnane-11,20-dione in 90 ml. of acetone and 0.10 ml. of acetic acid were added 4.83 g. of anhydrous potassium acetate and 3.85 g. of potassium iodide. The stirred mixture was refluxed for 18 hours and concentrated on the water pump to a small volume. Water was added, the product extracted into ethyl acetate, and the organic extract dried over magnesium sulfate. The product (4.25 g.) was a colorless foam that partly crystallized from acetone-ether to give ca. 30% dense cubes sintering at about 150 C., and melting at 200-213" C., which paper chromatography showed was mainly 3a,17oc,21-trihydroxy-16,8-methylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate contaminated with some 3a,17u,21-trihydroxy-16ot-methyL pregnane-11,20-dione 2l-acetate. The IR spectrum of this material was similar to that of authentic 3a,17a,21 trihydroxy-l6a-methylpregnane-11,20-di0ne Zl-acetate in the functional group region but diifered significantly in the fingerprint region. Seeding the mother liquors with authentic 3 a,17a,21-trihydroxy-l6a-methylp1-egnane-1L20- dione 21-acetate induced crystallization of crude 306,17, 21-trihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate which was purified by repeated crystallization from acetone-ether and shown to be identical with an authentic sample by mixed M.P., IR and paper chromatographic comparisons.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of J 7a.,21-Dihydroxy-I6a-Metlzylpregnane- 3,1 1,20-Trine 21 -A cetate and 1 70,2] -Dihydroxy-] 6(3- M ethy lpregnane-3,1 1,20-Tri0ne 21-A cetate To the mixture obtained as above of 3oc,17a,21-trihydroxy-l6a-methylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate and 3a,17a,21-trihydroxy-16,3-methylpregnane-l 1,20-dione 21- acetate, 4.0 g., in 100 ml. t-butanol and 20 ml. of water cooled to 15 C., was added 3.5 g. N-bromo-succinimide. The suspension was stirred at C. until all the N-bromosuccinimide had dissolved (90 minutes). The reaction mixture was kept at 2 C. for about sixteen hours and at C. for 2 hours. Sodium sulfite solution was added to destroy bromine and the mixture concentrated on the water pump to a low volume. A granular precipitate had formed; water was added, the precipitate filtered and washed with water: 3.30 g., sintering at about 170 C. melting at about 202212 C. Extraction of the filtrate with ethyl acetate gave .350 g., M.P. l170 C. Since both samples were mixtures by paper chromatography, they were recombined for alumina chromatography. Trituration with 100 ml. hot benzene gave 540 mg. of material M.P. 225 235 C. Chromatography of the remainder on neutral alumina (85 g., 100 ml. fractions) gave 1.324 g. of 17a,21-dihydroxy-l6a-methylpregnane-3,ll,20-trione ZI-acetate, M.P. 230 C. from fractions 5-15; 5% CHCl 70% C H Fractions 17-21 (50% CHCl -50% C l-l to 100% CHCI contained 0.850 g. 17a,2l-dihydroxy-16,8-methylpregnane- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate, M.P. 2102l3 C. The yield was about 2.0 g. [1.87 g.+ca. .l0.20 g. in mixed fraction 16]. The ratio of l7oc,21-dihydroxy-l6a-methylpregnane- 3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate to Hall-dihydroxy-16B-methylpregnane-3,11,20-trione ZI-acetate, 2.0: 0.85:7:3, is probably close to the ratio of 3u,17a-dihydroxy-16umethylpregnane-l1,20-dione produced in the hydrogenation.

Pure 1711,21 dihydroxy 16fl-methylpregnane-3,11,20- trione 21-acetate had the following properties: M.P. 210-212 C.

1 6 EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of 4-Br0m0-1701,2]-Dihydr0xy-16B-Methylpregnane-5 ,1 1 ,ZO-Trione 21 -A cetate To a stirred solution of 585 mg. of 17a,2l-dihydroxyl6fl-methylpregnane3,11,20-trione 21-acetate in 10 m1. of acetic acid and 8 ml. of chloroform kept at 10 C. was added slowly 230 mg. of bromine in 6 ml. of chloroform. After addition was complete, 1.2 g. of sodium acetate in 7 ml. of cold water was added. Additional water was added and the mixture was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract was washed with dilute potassium bicarbonate, water and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue was triturated with ether to give 480 mg. of crystalline 4-brom0-17a,2l-dihydroxy-l6,9- methylpregnane-3,l1,20-trione 2l-acetate M.P. -l70 C. dec.

Analysis.-Calculated for: Found: Br, 15.58.

A second crop of 133 mg. of 4-bl'0l1'lO-l7oc,2l-dihY- droxy-lfl-methylpregnane,11,20-trione 2l-acetate was also obtained.

EXAMPLE 16 Preparation of the B-Semicarbazone of I 7:1,21 -Dihydr0xy- 16,8-Methyl-4-Pregnene-3,11,20-Tri0ne 21-Acetate To 583 mg. of 4-bromo-17a,2laiihydroxy-16fi-methylpregnane-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate in 20 ml. of acetonitrile under nitrogen was added a slurry of 600 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 410 mg. sodium bicarbonate in 4 ml. of water. After 2 hours, the acetonitrile was removed in vacuo, water added and 540 mg. of crystalline 3 semicarbazone of 17a,21 dihydroxy l6fl-methyl-4- pregnene-3,l1,20-trione 2l-acetate filtered, washed with water and dried.

EXAMPLE 17 Preparation 0 f 1 7a,21-Dihydr0xy-I6fl-Methyl-4-Pregnene- 3,1],20-Tri0l1e 21-Acetate 1118K. max.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O 7.75. Found: C, 69.24; H, 7.58.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of the 3,20-Disemz'carbaz0ne of 17a,21-Dihydroxy 16,8 MetIzyl-4-Pregnene-3J1,20-Tri0ne 21 Acetate To a stirred solution of 500 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxyl6fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-t1'i0ne 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 17) in 12.5 ml. of methanol and 3 ml. of dimethylformamid kept under nitrogen was added a slurry of 680 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 370 mg. of sodium bicarbonate in 1 ml. of water. The stirred mixture was refluxed 3 hours and maintained at 45 C. for 17 hours. It was then cooled to 20 C. and 50 ml. of 50% saturated aqueous sodium chloride was added. After 2 hours at 0 C. the precipitate of the 17 3,20-disemicarbazidone of 17a,21-dihydroxy-l6B-methyl- 4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate was filtered, washed with water until free of chloride ion and dried in air. Yield over 90%.

EXAMPLE 19 Preparation of the 3,20-Disemicarbazone of 1 I 13,] 711,21-

Trihydroxy-l dfl-Methyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-Dione- To a stirred solution of 600 mg. of the 3,20-disemicarbazone of 17a,2l-dihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate in 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 11 ml. of water under nitrogen was added 200 mg. powdered sodium borohydride. The stirred suspension was refluxed 45 minutes and then cooled t 15 C. Aqueous acetic acid (3 ml. of 30%) was added cautiously and most of the tetrahydrofuran was removed in vacuum. Addition of 5 ml. of methanol and 5 ml. of water induced the product to crystallize. Following addition of 10 ml. of a saturated sodium chloride solution and aging at C. the product 3,20-disernicarbazone of 1113,17a,21- trihydroxy-l6B-methyl-4pregnene-3,ZO-dione was filtered, washed with water, and dried in air.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of 1 1fi,17u,21-Trihydroxy-ItSfl-Methyl-l- Pregnene-3,20-Di0ne To a solution of 510 mg. of reduced 3,20-disemicarbazone of 11p,l7a,21-trihydroxy-16fi-methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione in m1. of acetic acid was added 1.20 ml. of water and 0.50 ml. of pyruvic acid. The solution was kept at 25 C. for eighteen hours. Water (20 ml.) was added, and the mixture was extracted thoroughly with chloroform. The chloroform extract was dried over magnesium sulfate and taken to dryness. The residue was crystallized from acetone-ether to give pure 115.1711, 21-trihydroxy-l6,8-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 21 Preparation of 115,1704,21-Trihydroxy-16,8-Methyl-4- Pregnene-3,20-Di0ne 21-A cetate The product of the previous Example 20 was acetylated at 021 as follows: A solution of 100 mg. of 11B,17ot,21- trihydroxy 16,8 methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione in 100 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride was prepared. After 18 hours at 25 C., the solution was taken to dryness in vacuo and the solid residue purified by crystallization in acetone-ether to give l1B,17a,21-trihydroxy- 16fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 22 Preparation of 1 7a,21-D1'hydr0xy-J 6t3-Methyl-4,9 (1 1 Pregnadiene-3 ,2 O-Dione 21 -A cetate EXAMPLE 23 Preparation of 9a-Br0m0-1 1,8,1 7a,21-Trihydroxy-16fl- M ethy [-4 -Pregnene-3 ,20-D ione 21 -Acetate To a mixture of 620 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16flmethyl-4,9( l 1)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate and 330 mg. of N-bromosuccinimide in ml. of dioxane and 3.2 ml. of water cooled to 10 C. was added 1.8 ml. of cold 1 M aqueous perchloric acid. The mixture was stirred at 15 C. for 3 hours. Excess N-bromosuccinimide was destroyed by addition of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and most of the dioxane was removed in vacuo. About 30 m1. of water was added and crystalline bromohydrin, 9a-bromo-11B,17a,21-trihydroxy 16B methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate, was filtered, washed with water, and dried in air.

EXAMPLE 24 Preparation of 9/3,] 1 fi-Epoxy-I 7a,2l-Dihydroxy-16,B- M ethy l-4-Pregnene-3 ,20-Di0ne 21 -A cetate To a stirred solution of mg. of the 9e-bromo-11fi, 17a,21trihydroxy16,8-methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 3 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 1 ml. of methanol under nitrogen was added 1.02 ml. of 0.215 N meth anolic sodium methoxide. After 10 minutes at 25 C. 0.2 ml. of acetic acid was added and the methanol removed in vacuo. The residue was acetylated with 1.00 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 60 C. for 70 minutes. The mixture was taken to dryness in vacuo, water added, and the product extracted into chloroform. The residue was crystallized from ether-acetone to give pure 95,11fl-epoxy 17a,21 dihydroxy-16B-methyl- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 25 Preparation of 9a-Flu0ro-11BJ 7a,21-Trihydr0xy-16,8-

M ethyl-4 -Pregnene-3,20-D ione 21 -A cetate To a solution of 200 mg. of 9B,11t3-epoxy-17u,21-dihydroxy-16fi-methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 2 ml. of chloroform and 2 ml. of tetrahydrofuran in a polyethylene bottle at 60 C. was added 2 ml. of a 2:1 (by weight) mixture of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and tetrahydrofuran. After 4 hours at -10 C. the mixture was cooled to 60 C. and cautiously added to a stirred mixture of 30 ml. of 25% aqueous potassium carbonate and 25 ml. of chloroform kept at -5 C. The aqueous phase was further extracted with chloroform and the latter phase washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The residue on crystallization from acetoneether gave pure 9a-fluoro 11,B,17a,21 trihydroXy-16flmethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate.

EXAMPLE 26 Preparation of 9a-Flu0ro-1 1 8,1 7u,21-Trihydr0xy-16fi- M ethyl-4 -Pregnene-3,20-Dione To a stirred solution of mg. of 9a-fluoro-11/8,17a, 21-trihydroxy 16B methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 21- acetate in 5 ml. of methanol under nitrogen at 25 C. was added 1.00 ml. of 0.26 M methanolic sodium methoxide. After 15 minutes 0.2 ml. of acetic acid in 1 m1. of water was added and the mixture concentrated nearly to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate gave pure 9a-fiuoro- 11 8,17a,21-trihydroxy 16,8 methyl 4 pregnene-3,20- dione.

EXAMPLE 27 Preparation of 9a-Flu0r0-11t3,17a,21-Trihydroxy-16;9- M ethyl-4 -Pregnene-3,20-Dione 21 -Acetate To a solution of 100 mg. of 96,11t3-epoXy-17a,21-dihydroxy-16,B-methyl 4 T pregnene-3,20-dione Zl-acetate in 4 ml. of chloroform was added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The two-phase mixture was stirred at 25 C. for 1 hour. Addition of water and chloroform extraction gave a crude crystalline product which is partly deacetylated. Treatment with 1 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 25 C. for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo and crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether afforded pure 90z-Cl1lOI'O-1l 5,l7ot, 21-trihydroxy 16,8 methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 21- acetate.

EXAMPLE 28 Preparation of 2,4-Dibrm0-1 7u,21-Dihydr0xy-16fi- M elhyl-Pregn an e-3 ,1 1 ,2 O-Trione 21 -A cemte To a stirred solution of 682 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxylfifi-methylpregnane 3,11,20 trione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 17) in 20 ml. of chloroform and 2.25 ml. of acetic acid maintained at 20 C. was added dropwise one-half of a solution of 540 mg. of bromine in 2 ml. of chloroform and 3 ml. of acetic acid. The mixture was warmed to 0 C. and the remainder of the bromine added. Sodium acetate (0.4 g.) in 2 ml. of water was added followed by 20 mg. of sodium sulfite. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo to remove the chloroform and 20 m1. of water was added. The white powdery precipitate of 2,4-dibromo-17a,21-dihydroxy- 16 3-methylpregnane-3J1,20-trione 21-acetate was filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 920 mg. M.P. 122130 C. dec.

EXAMPLE 29 Preparation of 17a,21-Dihydr0xy-1 6 fl-M ethyl-1 ,4- Pregnadiene-3,11 ,20-Trz'0ne 21 -A cetate To a solution under nitrogen of 900 mg. of the 2,4- dibromo-17u,21-dihydroxy-16,8-methylpregnane 3,11,20- trione 2l-acetate in ml. dimethyl formamide was added 200 mg. of sodium bromide. After 1 hour at 25 C., 1 ml. of dimethylaniline was added and the mixture maintained at 135 C. for 2 /2 hours. The mixture was cooled, added dropwise to dilute hydrochloric acid, and solid, crude product filtered, washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, water and dried in air. Treatment with charcoal, followed by crystallization from acetone gave 17u,21-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene 3,11,20- trione 2l-acetate M.P. 230233 C.,

xggf 2.9-3.0, 5.75, 5.79, 5.84, 6.01, 6.16, 6.19, 11.20

(a) CHCl |-216(C=.805).

Analysis.Calculated for c n o c, 69.55; H, 7.30. Found: 0, 69.25; H, 7.25.

EXAMPLE 30 Preparation 0 f 1 7a,21 -Dihydr0xy-1 613-Meth yl-J ,4 Pregnadiene-3-11 ,2 O-Trione This compound was obtained by treatment of 1.0 g. of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16/3-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1 1,20- trione 21-acetate in 30 ml. of methanol with 1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 20 ml. of water under nitrogen at reflux temperature for 7 minutes. The mixture was cooled, neutralized with 1 ml. of acetic acid in 10 ml. of water, the methanol removed in vacuo and the product extracted into ethyl acetate. Removal of the ethyl acetate gave crystals (900 mg.) M.P. 195200 of the desired l7a,2l-dihydroxy-l6fi-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene 3,11,20- trionc EXAMPLE 31 Preparation of 11,8,1 7 0:,21 -Trihydr0xy-1 6 B-M ethyl-1 ,4

Pregnadiene-3,20-Di0ne 21-Acetate To 100 mg. of 115,17a,21-trihydroxy-16 3-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 5 ml. of t-butanol and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid was added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen 18 hours, 50

20 mg. of selenium dioxide was added and the mixture refluxed an additional 24 hours. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate taken to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfide, dilute ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. It was then treated with activated charcoal and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether gave pure 11,3,17a,21-trihydroxy-16i8-rnethyl-1,4-pregnadienc 3,20- dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 32 Alternately, the 1,2-dehydrogenation of 1lfi,17a,21-trihydroxy-l6fl-rnethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate can be carried out microbiologically by means of Bacillus splzaericus to yield 11/3,Hall-trihydroxy-16B-methyl-L4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione, which an acetylation with acetic anhydride pyridine gives 11B,l7a,2l trihydroxy 16f?- methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 33 Preparation of 9a-Flu0r0-115J 7a,21 -Trihydr0xy-1 618- M ethyl-J ,4-Pregnadiene-3,20-Dione 21 Acetate In a similar manner mg. of 9a-fiuoro-1lfl,l7a,21- trihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20 dione 21-acetate was treated with selenium dioxide to produce the corresponding 9a-fiuoro-1 1 ,3,1711,21-trihydroxy-16,6-methyl-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate. Alternately, Bacillus sphaericus may be utilized. The 21-alcohol was prepared from the 21-acetate as in Example 26 or Example 30.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of which are herein disclosed, without departing from the scope thereof; to the extent that these changes and modifications are within the scope of the appended claims, they are to be considered a part of this invention.

We claim:

1. The process which comprises reacting -lower alkyl-l6a,17a-epoxy-3a-hydroxypregnane 11,20 dione with a strong acid to form a mixture of l6-lower a1ky1-3a, 17a-dihydroxy-IS-pregnene-ll,20dione and 16-lower a1- kylene-3a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione.

2. The process which comprises reacting a mixture of 16-l0wer alkyl-3a,17a-dihydroxy-IS-pregnene-l1,20-dione and 16-lower alkylene-3 a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-1 1,20- dione with lithium aluminum hydride followed by sodium meta-periodate to form a mixture of 16-lower alkyl- 3a,17a-dihydroxy-15-etiocho1ene-17-one and 16-lower alkylene-3 11,1 1p-dihydroxyetiocholene-17-one.

3. 16-lower alkyl-3a,17a-dihydroxy-15-pregnene-11,20- dione.

4. 16-lower alkyl-3a-lower alkanoyloxy-17a-hydroxy- 15-preguene-11,20-dione.

5. 16-lower alkylene-3oc,17a-dihydroxypregnane-l1,20- dione.

6. l6-lower alkyl-3a,1lp-dihydroxy-l5-etiocholene-17- one.

7. 16-lower alkylene-3a,1lfl-dihydroxyetiocholane-17- one.

8. 16-lower alkylene-Ba-lower alkanoyloxy 17a hydroxy-pregnane-l1,20-di0ne.

9. Biz-lower a1kanoyloxy 16-lower alkyl-l4,16-pregnadiene-11,20-dione.

References Cited in the file of this patent Fieser et al.: Natural Products elated to Phenanthrene (1949), pages 271, 535 and 536. 

1. THE PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES REACTING 16B-LOWER ALKYL-16A, 17A-EPOXY-3A-HYDROXYPREGNANE - 11,20 - DIONE WITH A STRONG ACID TO FORM A MIXTURE OF 16-LOWER ALKYL-3A, 17A-DIHYDROXY-1K-PREGNENE-11,20-DIONE AND 16-LOWER ALKYLENE-3A, 17A-DIHYDROXYPREGNANE-11,20-DIONE.
 3. 16-LOWER ALKYL-3A,17A-DIHYDROXY-15-PREGNENE-11,20DIONE. 